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Enthusiasm to vote dips as time ticks in upscale areas

TNNVoters stand in queue at P.Jog High School on Tuesday morning (L), industrialist Baba Kalyani with wife Sunita and son Amit after casting their votes at Erin Nagarwala school in Kalyaninagar

PUNE: Voters turned up in large numbers in the upscale areas of the city under the balmy sun on Tuesday morning but the rush at polling booths declined as the mercury climbed in the afternoon.

In the first two hours, many came to exercise their franchise right after the morning walk in Kalyaninagar, Vimannagar, Aundh, Baner, and areas dotting Prabhat Road, Apte Road, Dhole Patil Road and Mangaldas Road, among others. But later in the day, there was a lull as the maximum temperature surged to 40.3°C in Shivajinaar and 40°C in

The elite and educated middle class people comprise a bulk of the population in the upscale areas. Over the years, they have shown disinterest in voting. According to records, the average voting in these areas has been about 30-35%. The turnout seemed to a be a tad better this

The polling officer at Dr Erin Nagarvala School in Kalyaninagar said the turnout was 37.42% at the end of the polling time. The officer said, “The first two hours had a very good turnout. The frequency of people coming to vote dropped later. Especially after 2pm, it was disappointing.”

At the Nowrosjee Wadia College and Apte Road polling centres, there was a lull around 1.30pm. The election officers said those who had decided to vote came out in the morning itself.

Mangaldas Road resident Neeraj Kriplani said, “I ensured that my family members voted. But there was low enthusiasm at our polling booth. Probably, people have stopped believing in democracy.”

Koregaon Park voter Sandeep Nair said, “I took some time off from my office to vote. Probably, there is a need for a better voting system, without much hassles for searching the names. I believe there will be a better showing then.”